Calvin is born! 8.21.14

Calvin was due Thursday, August 28th, 2014 which was a little problematic because Devin was starting his 6th quarter of law school on Monday, August 25th. Luckily I had an understanding doctor because after talking it over with her we decided that I would be induced the weekend before when I was 39 weeks so that Calvin wouldn't be born without Devin. 

We had to go in to the hospital at 5:30 am so the night before his induction, I went to mutual to get everything settled then went home to do the last few things to prepare. Once I was home I couldn't stop nesting. I was obsessed with having everything just so before going into the hospital. Devin gave me a blessings and I finished the last bit of laundry before going to bed. I tried to go to bed by 10. I was actually in bed by 11, But I don't think I fell asleep until 1:30 our 2 am because I was so anxious about the next day. I was extremely nervous about how the induction would go. I heard Amanda come in around midnight and the next morning she got up with me around 4:30 am to talk to me while I got ready for the hospital. We got everything ready and Devin made us eggs and english muffins to eat on the way to the hospital. I planned to have Devin take a picture of me in front of the hospital but we go there around 5:40 and I was rushed since we were late so I never got one final pregnancy picture. Here I am once I was in my hospital gown get up.

The nurse we had was about to switch shifts but she got my IV started and got me into my gown so I was ready to get started with Pitocin. After that the night shift anesthesiologist came in and talked to me. Then the shift change happened and I got a new nurse named Marta who was hilarious and so so nice. I always luck out and get great nurses when I deliver. She also said to ask for an epidural as soon as I wanted one. My kinda lady!

At this point I was a four and the contractions were staring to get worse so I had the anesthesiologist come and get the epidural started. I was pretty uncomfortable with the contractions but no where near as miserable as when I had Gabe.After the got the epidural in they had me lay on my right side. My whole right side went numb but I could still feel it on my left side. There was a spot up higher where I was feeling every contraction. They continued to turn up the Pitocin and I continued to feel it! They tried having me lay on my left side to get the medicine to drain over but it didn't work. Finally the anesthesiologist came back and gave me more meds and it all numbed up for the most part. Around 9:30 or 10 Amanda called asking when she should come to see baby and take pictures. I thought I still had a while to go so I told her I would call her when I progressed more. At that point I still thought I was a 4 maybe a 6. At 11am the nurse came in and said my doctor would be there soon at that she would check me when she came. At 11 my doctor showed up and checked me and I was at a 10! She said it was baby time. I called Amanda to tell her but knew she probably wouldn't make it in time to take pictures since she still needed to drop off Gabe. My legs were so numb the nurse and Devin had to do most of the work and I had a hard time feeling whether I was pushing or not. After pushing twice Dr. Brachovec quitely said to the nurse to call the NICU team. I calmly asked her why. I wasn't freaked out but I wanted to know what was going on. She said the cord was wrapped around Calvin and that she wanted to be on the safe side. The NICU team came in but then had to leave while I was pushing to help with twins. I think by then the doctor was less concerened. I only pushed 4 rounds and Calvin came! Because of the cord being wrapped around him, his hands and feet were purple. The first thing I noticed was his dark hair! I was so so excited. He weighed in at 7lbs. 10 oz. just one ounce bigger than Gabe.

They let him lay on me for about 5 minutes before taking him back to wash him. I always wish they would leave the room so you could have time alone with baby but they always stay there cleaning things up.

I felt like they kept him back in the warmer forever! Poor guy got some pokes too. 

Devin learned from last time and was better at taking pictures. It always makes me laugh because we get so in the moment both of us forget until the nurses remind us. Thank goodness for kind nurses. 

Finally I got the chance to hold our sweet boy. Calvin didn't look as much like Gabe to me as others thought. He has a shorter face and was a little more smooshed in general with all of his features, just not as elongated. I was so excited about how much hair he had and that it was dark! I really hope he stays brunette.

We had about 30 min-an hour alone with him before Amanda and Annie showed up. It gave me the chance to nurse him a little, and sing his two songs, "I am a Child of God" and "A Bushel and a Peck:. It tradition. 

 

Amanda holding Baby C

Annie holding him.

Sweet Annie started crying when she got to hold him. Little love. She could feel just how special he was.That afternoon Amanda ran and got us Pei Wei. We ate and hung out and held baby. Then a little later she went and got Gabe. 

(Get pictures from Amanda)

We stayed in the hospital from 5:30 am Thursday until about 4 pm Friday. On Friday, Lee and the Porter kids came into town. They wanted to come visit at the hospital but there were big signs saying only siblings were allowed. Calvin slept great the first night. Every two-three hours just like a good little newborn should. Several longer stretches too. He was just so tired from all the work of being born he needed a good long rest. The next morning we ate bad hospital food for breakfast and so Devin went to the store to get me a few things and to get us Taco Bell. Shanda Farley came to visit but Calvin was gone so we just visited. Then they took Calvin to get circumcised which left me alone for almost 4 hours. You think I would have been able to sleep but no, kept waking up from the nurses etc. When Calvin came back they monitored him for a it and then we were cleared to go home. Babies always look so teensy tiny in their carseats. 

Obligatory picture of the new parents. 

Mom and Calvin

Dad and Calvin

Finally of Dad carrying baby out of the hospital.

We were lucky enough to get a new (to us) car before bringing Calvin home. Here he is with Devin. 

Once we got home, we got settled in and the Porters got back with Gabe from Chuckie Cheese. It was Gwen's birthday and so they had played all day in Waco. All the kids took turns holding Calvin while Amanda made us homemade pizza for dinner. 

(get pictures from Amanda)